Red BullWilliams 
via Motorsport.comF1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchMax Verstappen achieved pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, dominating the qualifying sessions. His final lap placed him ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who will start second. Isack Hadjar initially qualified third but will face a five-place grid penalty, promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid.
The race is set for October 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM MYT, with weather conditions expected to be hot and humid, along with the possibility of thunderstorms. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK, while Apple TV will offer free streaming in the United States. The Sepang circuit's challenging surface and weather conditions will require teams to strategise effectively.
Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 17:13 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCarlos Sainz admits ‘desire will shift’ away from Williams if he never gets what George Russell hasCarlos Sainz has always maintained that he is happy to see his future at Williams, but now it seems the love affair is conditional for ...
f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 16:30 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli tops FP3 at Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaKimi Antonelli topped the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, recovering from a challenging Friday for Mercedes. His performance alleviated concerns regarding the team's upgraded W17 car, although team-mate George Russell was six tenths slower.
theguardian.com+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 15:22 UTC
via PlanetF1Red Bull expresses wish for team orders with VerstappenRed Bull Racing has revealed a desire to implement team orders involving Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. The team decided against imposing such orders during the recent race in Baku.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 14:37 UTC
via F1iBahrain Grand Prix chaos marked by rain and glitchesThe 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia experienced significant disruptions due to torrential rain and software glitches. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were notable performers throughout the weekend, showcasing their competitive edge during the qualifying sessions.
F1i+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 11:07 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms worst-kept Isack Hadjar secret at Bahrain Grand PrixThe FIA has officially confirmed that Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will incur a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. This decision follows Hadjar's announcement during a media day that he was expecting a grid drop due to exceeding his engine component allowance.
Hadjar recently made a strong comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing his second podium finish of the season. Alongside Hadjar, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad will also face penalties for similar reasons, with Lindblad's total penalties amounting to 30 positions. New regulations state that drivers facing penalties exceeding 15 places will automatically start from the back of the grid.PlanetF1Fri 2 Oct · 10:57 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell warns of Mercedes struggles in BahrainGeorge Russell has expressed concerns about Mercedes' performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, stating that the car is 'off the pace' compared to rivals Red Bull and McLaren. Despite a significant upgrade, Russell believes adjustments are necessary to improve competitiveness.
RacingNews365+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via CrashMax Verstappen's unique tyre strategy in Bahrain practiceMax Verstappen employed an unusual medium-tyre strategy during Free Practice 2 for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. The session saw lap times significantly slower than expected, attributed to the poor track surface.
Crash+ 4 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:26 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen explains tyre strategy in practiceMax Verstappen revealed that he opted for a medium-tyre strategy during Free Practice 2 at the Sepang International Circuit due to concerns about potential rain. The Red Bull driver did not conduct a qualifying simulation run, prioritising caution over performance.Motorsport.com+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen and Hadjar urge Red Bull to experiment nowMax Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have encouraged Red Bull Racing to make all necessary mistakes during the remaining races of the 2026 season. Their aim is to prepare effectively for the 2027 season, while also avoiding a winless year in 2026.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:49 UTC
via PlanetF11 videoCharles Leclerc fastest in Bahrain Grand Prix FP2Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, clocking a lap of 1m37.528s. The session remained dry despite a significant threat of rain, with both Mercedes drivers struggling to find pace.PlanetF1+ 8 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:01 UTC
via f1oversteer.com22 videosCharles Leclerc sets fastest time in Bahrain FP2Charles Leclerc achieved the fastest lap during the second free practice session for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled to keep pace with the frontrunners.f1oversteer.com+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Charles Leclerc beats the heat but Max Verstappen has overall edgeCharles Leclerc managed to secure the top spot in the second practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, overcoming extreme heat conditions. However, it was Max Verstappen who recorded the fastest lap of the day during the first practice session, showcasing Red Bull's competitive edge.
In FP1, Verstappen clocked a time of 1:37.520s, narrowly beating Leclerc's FP2 time of 1:37.528s. The high track temperatures forced teams to adapt their strategies, with many drivers switching to soft tyres earlier than planned. Lewis Hamilton faced scrutiny for an incident involving another driver, while Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar also performed well, finishing third and fourth respectively in FP2.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 09:00 UTC
via the-race.comJames Vowles warns of two-tier championship in F1James Vowles, the team principal of Williams, has described Formula 1's cost cap as a 'trap' that has failed to level the playing field. He argues that the current financial regulations have widened the gap between the top teams and the rest of the grid.
the-race.com+ 5 moreFri 2 Oct · 07:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen leads opening practice at Bahrain GPMax Verstappen of Red Bull set the fastest time in the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. He was followed closely by George Russell, marking a competitive start to the event.Motorsport.com+ 8 moreFri 2 Oct · 05:38 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen leads first practice in MalaysiaMax Verstappen recorded the fastest time in the first practice session at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Red Bull driver outpaced George Russell, setting a strong tone for the weekend.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 05:31 UTC
via AutosportMercedes introduces new floor, sidepods for F1 Bahrain GPMercedes has revealed significant updates to its car for the Bahrain Grand Prix, including a redesigned floor and new sidepods. These changes are aimed at maintaining their competitive edge in the 2026 Formula 1 season, where they have been performing strongly against rivals like Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull.
The updates involve a shift in sidepod geometry and enhancements to the floor design to improve airflow and downforce. George Russell noted the importance of these upgrades, as it has been several months since the last major update. Mercedes will also sport a special teal and black livery in recognition of its title partner, Petronas.
AutosportFri 2 Oct · 04:31 UTC
via RacingNews3652026 Bahrain Grand Prix Free Practice 1 resultsThe Free Practice 1 session for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix took place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Full results from the session have been released, detailing the performance of all participating teams and drivers.RacingNews365+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 03:25 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDamon Hill responds to claims Adrian Newey's Red Bull success 'wasn't all his own work'Damon Hill has come to the defence of Adrian Newey, who is currently facing criticism for his performance at Aston Martin. Hill, who has worked closely with Newey in the past, highlighted Newey's impressive track record in Formula 1, particularly during his time with Red Bull, and expressed confidence that Newey can turn things around at Aston Martin despite the team's current struggles.
Hill also addressed the challenges faced by Honda, the engine supplier for Aston Martin, noting their need for focus and direction to improve their competitive standing. He believes that with the right guidance, Honda can make significant progress, and he pointed out that the current deficit could lead to substantial advancements in the future.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 18:30 UTC
via PlanetF1Liam Lawson expecting Red Bull future decision in ‘next few weeks’Liam Lawson has stated that he is still waiting for news regarding his future with Red Bull, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. Currently, he is ninth in the Drivers' standings and has expressed confidence in his performance this season, despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract for 2027.
Lawson, along with teammate Arvid Lindblad, is among the drivers whose seats have yet to be confirmed. The situation is complicated by the presence of Nikola Tsolov, a promising Red Bull junior, who is also in contention for a seat. Lawson remains focused on his racing while awaiting the outcome of discussions about the team's driver lineup.PlanetF1Thu 1 Oct · 17:02 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen signals greatest Red Bull desire as drought continuesMax Verstappen is seeking his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season after finishing second in Baku, extending his winless streak to 15 races. Despite a series of podium finishes, Red Bull has struggled to keep pace with rivals, currently sitting fourth in the constructors' standings behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
Verstappen, who is sixth in the drivers' standings, acknowledged the team's challenges but remains determined to secure a win this season. He noted that recent upgrades to the car showed promise in Baku, although he is cautious about their effectiveness on different circuits. With Mercedes dominating the season, Verstappen's focus is on learning and improving as the year progresses.RacingNews365Thu 1 Oct · 17:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen laughs off Malaysian heat concerns: "Months of preparation to not give an F!"Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, has expressed his ambition to secure a victory in the 2026 season, despite finishing on the podium in six of the last eight races. He recalls his last win at the Sepang International Circuit in 2017 and acknowledges the challenges posed by the Malaysian heat and rough track conditions, which can lead to significant tyre degradation.
Verstappen dismissed concerns about the heat, stating he had undergone months of preparation and is accustomed to racing in hot conditions. He also mentioned that Mercedes' upcoming upgrade could complicate Red Bull's chances of winning, but he remains focused on performing well and validating the effectiveness of their recent upgrades at different circuits.Motorsport.comThu 1 Oct · 16:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen reveals what he's had to ‘accept’ at Red Bull amid Mercedes' dominance this seasonMax Verstappen has expressed his acceptance of Red Bull's current struggles in the 2026 Formula 1 season, acknowledging that he cannot compete for the championship this year. With only eight races left, he risks finishing the season without a win, a situation he hasn't faced since his rookie year in 2015. He has had to settle for second place multiple times, sharing the record for the most second-place finishes with George Russell.
In a recent podcast appearance, Verstappen reflected on the challenges of not being in title contention, likening it to his early years in the sport. He remains focused on improving the team's performance and aims to return to competitive form next season. Verstappen's commitment to Red Bull is evident as he signed a new contract, while the team seeks stability in their driver line-up to regain their competitive edge.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 15:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Isack Hadjar outlines repeat Red Bull plan after 'huge step'Isack Hadjar is set to approach the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia similarly to his recent performance in Baku, where he achieved a podium finish after recovering from a wrist injury. He missed three races but returned to the RB22 cockpit, benefiting from Red Bull's significant aerodynamic upgrades.
Hadjar plans to take a gradual approach in Malaysia, focusing on acclimatising to the unfamiliar Sepang circuit. He expressed optimism about the upgrades that worked well in Baku but acknowledged the need to adapt to the different track layout in Malaysia.RacingNews365Thu 1 Oct · 13:40 UTC